Optimization of Synthesis of Biodiesel from Jatropha curcas L. with Heterogeneous Catalyst of CaO and MgO by Transesterification Reaction Using Microwave

The purpose of this study was to find the optimum conditions in synthesis of Biodiesel from Jatropha Curcas with heterogeneous catalyst of CaO and MgO by transesterification reaction using microwave. The research was conducted in five stages, that is determining acid number of Jatropha oil; esterification process; preparation of CaO and MgO catalysts; synthesis of biodiesel via transesterification reaction in various catalyst concentration and various times; identification and characterization of biodiesel involves the synthesis, testing TLC, GC-MS analysis, the index test bias, the density test, test the viscosity and acid number test. The results showed that optimum conditions the synthesis of biodiesel from Jatropha oil through transesterification reaction using microwaves produce yield 92.39% ± 0.04, with a catalyst concentration of 7.5% CaO-MgO. Furthermore, identification of compounds contained in biodiesel using GC-MS showed that biodiesel contains palmitoleic methyl compound (2.40%), methyl palmitate (21.20%), methyl oleate (62.40%), and methyl stearate (14.00%). We found also that the refractive index of the biodiesel is 1.465, the density of 0.888 g/mL, viscosity 4.23 cSt, and acid number is 0.58 mg KOH/g.